Cyprus News Agency: News in English (PM), 97-04-03

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From: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>

CONTENTS

[01] EP group condemns human rights violations by Turks

[02] Cyprus Stock Exchange

[03] President inaugurates first desalination plant

[04] UN envoy to visit Cyprus

[05] Cyprus protests Turkish violations

[06] President welcomes symposium on Cyprus problem

1510:CYPPRESS:01

[01] EP group condemns human rights violations by Turks

The question of the enclaved people was discussed here today by the European Liberal, Democrat and Reform Party (ELDR) in the European Parliament (EP), which is meeting in Nicosia.

The ELDR "condemns once again very firmly the continued human rights violations and infringement of fundamental freedoms suffered by the enclaved people carried out by the illegal occupied regime and their unwillingness to compromise in this regard".

The resolution says the Group "deemed unacceptable the conditions which are systematically imposed by the occupied regime on a visiting delegation from the European Parliament to the enclaved people, and if we accept these conditions, it is the same as the de facto recognition of the illegal occupied regime".

The Group considers it urgent that an EP delegation, in particular in the framework of the work of the sub-committee on human rights "has free and unconditional access to revisit the enclaved people in order to assess their situation".

The ELDR calls for a greater attention by the United Nations and European Union institutions, specifically the European Council and the European Commission to take action on a humanitarian scale, which would improve the living conditions of the enclaved people.

The resolution calls on the ELDR President to forward this resolution to the UN, the EU Council and Commission, the member states and the Cypriot and Turkish governments.

The resolution had been tabled by ten Euro MP's from various EP political groups, including Pauline Green, Jan - Willem Bertens, Matilde Rothe and Philippe Monfils.

ELDR Spokesman Willem Vanden Broucke told CNA that the resolution is expected to be approved by the European Parliament next Thursday. CNA/AZK/GP/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1540:CYPPRESS:02

[02] Cyprus Stock Exchange

CSE All Share Index                    80.24 (-0.19)

Highest: 82.46 (1/1/97)
Lowest : 73.90 (30/1/97)

Sectural Indices

Banks                                  91.05 (-0.54)
Approved Investment Companies          69.89 (-0.81)
Insurance Companies                    61.65 (-1.23)
Industrial Companies                   80.61 (+1.13)
Tourist Industries                     63.12 (+2.17)
Commercial Companies                   54.13 (-0.31)
Other Companies                        56.36 (+1.11)

Trading Volume                         CYP 1028803.070

CNA MA/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1650 :CYPPRESS:03

[03] President inaugurates first desalination plant

"The project takes on a heightened importance due to the continual water shortage we face," President Clerides said at the inauguration ceremony.

The desalination plant, constructed near the Dhekelia electric power station on the island's southeastern coast, will satisfy the increased demand for water in the country's burgeoning tourist areas in the Famagusta District.

The plant is capable, at maximum capacity, of converting 40.000 cubic metres of sea water into drinking water, which meets strict European standards.

Cyprus has suffered severe droughts throughout its history, including this year's debilitating drought, due to the lack of rain and a shortage of rivers running all year-round.

Similar projects are planned for completion before the turn of the century to cover the needs of the island's major cities and tourist areas.

Presently, the agricultural sector, as well as most villages and towns, depend on the Cyprus' damming network which can hold up to 300 million cubic metres of water.

"A strategic plan has been drawn up by the government to cover the period up to the year 2010," the President said, adding that the government plans, beyond constructing new dams and desalination plants, to engender a public conscience for conserving water.

It is expected that when government measures kick into gear, about 95 to 100 million cubic metres of water will be added to the island's reserves.

However, this is not expected to stop the government from shutting off water to households every other day, in most towns, in a bid to conserve water.

"The water problem is something that concerns all of us, the public and the state. We are compelled to deal with this problem diligently and insistently, because our economic and social progress depends on it," the President added.

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister of Agriculture, Natural Resources and the Environment, Costas Petrides, said his ministry undertook to build the desalination plant because the conservation of water is so intricately woven in the social and economic development of Cyprus.

"The Dhekelia desalination plant is an important development because it is the first of its kind in Cyprus and its importance is hightened given the conditions created by this year's profound drought," the Minister said.

CNA MH/MA/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1710 CYPPRESS:04

[04] UN envoy to visit Cyprus

However, the Cyprus government has not yet been officially notified on Han's visit to the region, according to Government Spokesman Yiannakis Cassoulides.

During his daily press briefing today, Cassoulides said Han is expected "at a crucial period in the proximity talks" between the Greek and Turkish Cypriot sides, conducted by UN resident representative Gustave Feissel.

Explaining the term "crucial period", Cassoulides said "it is logical that after three to four weeks of talks the time would be appropriate for the UN to review the situation and redirect their course accordingly."

The Spokesman added that "it is normal for the UN special envoy for Cyprus to engage himself in the process at some stage."

Asked if Han's visit aims to "salvage the endangered proximity talks," Cassoulides said he does not share this view and noted the government welcomes UN official's visits aimed at breaking the deadlock in efforts to reach a solution to the protracted Cyprus problem.

The UN-led proximity talks, during which Feissel has bi-weekly separate meetings with President Clerides and Rauf Denktash, have entered into their third week.

A spokesman for the UN Secretary-General was quoted as saying that Han will begin a week-long visit on April 12, in a bid to help start face-to- face negotiations between President Clerides and Denktash. He will then visit Ankara and Athens for talks on the Cyprus issue.

The UN is stepping up efforts so that direct negotiations for a solution to the Cyprus problem could begin by the middle of this year.

Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, will meet Denktash in Geneva, Switzerland, on April 9, prior to Han's visit to the region.

Meanwhile, the Government Spokesman said today that the US can contribute towards a solution in Cyprus, if the American government wishes to achieve stability and security in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Asked whether the US are not involved in current efforts for a Cyprus settlement because they don't see any prospects for solution, the Government Spokesman said it is up to the US government to decide on the effectiveness of its stance.

"If the US administration wishes to contribute, we believe it has both the power and the influence to exert it on the appropriate side, the Turkish side, for a Cyprus solution," Cassoulides noted.

CNA AP/MA/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

1910 CYPPRESS:05

[05] Cyprus protests Turkish violations

This was stressed here today by Government Spokesman Yiannakis Cassoulides, when asked to comment on violations of the Republic's sovereign air space by Turkish warplanes, at a time when the UN is seeking gestures of good will from the two sides.

Cassoulides said that despite the violations, the government will continue its constructive stance in the proximity talks, but noted that President Glafcos Clerides will raise the issue during his meeting tomorrow with UN resident representative, Gustave Feissel.

Citing Cyprus National Guard information, Cassoulides said one reconnaissance plane and squadrons of Turkish fighters have violated Cyprus' sovereign air space and the Nicosia FIR on five different occasions, in the past ten days.

On March 27, he noted, a reconnaissance aircraft, RF-4, approached the island's northern coast, in Kormakitis, violating the Nicosia FIR. He added that on March 31 there were two violations of the Republic's air space and Nicosia's FIR, and another two violations on April 1.

The Turkish military aircraft entered the Republic's northern air space and flew over the Turkish-occupied northern coast, Pentadactylos mountain range, Morphou and Kyrenia.

Cassoulides said there are no indications that the Turkish warplanes staged mock attacks in the occupied areas or that a military exercise in underway.

"These facts substitute a violation of International Law and are accordingly protested to the UN by the Foreign Ministry," he said, stressing that "they are not conducive to the climate which should exist in the on-going negotiations."

The Spokesman noted that despite these violations "our side will continue its constructive stance during the proximity talks," noting it will never give the Turkish side a reason to abandon the goal all sides involved should be working on, which is "to create the conditions for face- to-face negotiations."

Meanwhile, a Defence Ministry spokesman told CNA Wednesday there is information that the Turkish occupation forces are planning military exercises on April 20, in occupied Cyprus, which will include landing manoeuvres.

Turkish fighters have repeatedly violated Cyprus' air space and the Nicosia FIR over the past twenty years or so, since Turkish troops occupied the island's northern part, with complete disregard to international safety regulations.

The government has protested the violations to international fora but Turkey appears unwilling to comply with international law and order on this score.

CNA MM/AP/MA/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

2130 :CYPPRESS:06

[06] President welcomes symposium on Cyprus problem

"We will welcome the results of this symposium and we will study them carefully," the President said.

He expressed his regret, however, that invited Turkish scholars were not be able to attend, apparently because they would have to enter the Republic through the free areas.

Turkey is the only country not to recognise the Republic of Cyprus.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, President Clerides said the primary concern of both communities on the island is security and noted this issue must be addressed if there is to be progress in talks for a solution to the island's 23-year-old problem.

"Unfortunately, maximum security for one side means maximum insecurity for the other," the President pointed out, adding that a balance must be struck since total security for either side is an unachievable goal.

The President also referred to the proximity talks currently under way here in preparation of direct negotiations between himself and Turkish occupation regime leader, Rauf Denktash.

He said both sides are committed not to make public statements on the talks, but noted he was "sorely tempted" to break that promise. "I don't want to be the bad boy from the beginning of this exercise," the President jokingly.

In his brief address, Executive Dean and President of the Board of Directors of the Research and Development Centre at "Intercollege", Nicos Peristianis, stressed the importance of research institutions in the social and political life of Cyprus.

He urged Cyprus to invest in scholarly debate, particularly at a time when so much international attention is focused on the island. Peristianis added that state and private academic institutions should work hand-in-hand for the sake of social and scholarly progress.

The three-day symposium entitled, "The Cyprus problem - its solution and the day after", brings together about 27 speakers from Europe and North America to discuss the various aspects of the Cyprus problem.

University professors from Greece, the US, France, Germany and other countries, will tackle issues related to the consequences of a settlement.

Foreign ambassadors, Cypriot political figures and academics attended the symposium opening ceremony, that begins tomorrow and runs through to April 6th.

CNA MH/MA/1997

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY

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